NANOCRYSTALLINE THIN TITANIUM FILMS GROWN ON POTASSIUM-BROMIDE SINGLE-CRYSTALS

High-resolution electron microscopy has been used to characterize the structure of ultra-thin films of titanium deposited on KBr substrate b y ultra-high Vacuum (UHV) electron-gun evaporation. The size of the gr ains has an order of magnitude of 10 nm whatever is the substrate temp erature. The observations have been carried out along the [11 (2) over bar 3] zone axis. Some of the grains contain planar defects that were identified as the twin {10 (1) over bar 1}. The atomic structure of t his twin is characterized by a mirror plane similar to that observed i n polycrystalline titanium; Additionally, this structure can be modifi ed by a b(2/2) twinning dislocation. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Sc ience S.A.